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Inlays and Onlays
Chicago, Illinois
Dental inlays and onlays are restorations that cosmetic dentists use to repair back teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. If your teeth are fractured or cracked, but the damage is not severe enough for a dental crown, dental inlays and onlays may be the best solution for you. Dr. Jessica Emery at Chicago’s Sugar Fix, A Dental Loft, has successfully placed inlays and onlays on numerous patients to solve their tooth decay problem.
Made of porcelain, composite resin or sometimes gold, inlays and onlays are able to restore damaged teeth and are often used to replace metal fillings. They are securely bonded to your teeth and give you a more natural-looking smile. Once inlays and onlays are placed, they are virtually invisible, and they conserve a great deal of your natural tooth structure.
Inlays
Decay or damage occurring to the upper surface of the teeth may require an inlay. During the first of two visits to our office, an impression of your teeth is made and then sent to a lab. You will be given a temporary inlay to wear in the meantime. Your inlay will be matched to your tooth’s specific needs at the lab. During the second appointment, Dr. Emery will remove your temporary and fit the permanent inlay over your tooth. The inlay is permanently bonded to the tooth; bacteria are prevented from entering the places where bacteria grow. Inlays are most successful when the cavity only involves the occlusal surface (the chewing surface) and one proximal surface (surface between teeth). Ideally, the other proximal surface should be free of decay.
Onlays
If your tooth decay extends to one or more of the top projections of the tooth (cusps), onlays may be the best dental solution for you. These are placed in much the same way as inlays. During your onlay fitting, the permanent restoration is placed and bonded to the tooth using a strong dental resin. Onlays can keep you from having to eventually come back for more extensive procedures, such as dental crowns, dental bridges, or dental implants. An onlay covers the entire proximal surface and protects the cusps from fracture.
Advantages
- Unlike metal fillings, inlays and onlays will not expand or contract due to temperature changes caused by hot or cold foods
- Smile is more natural-looking without silver fillings
- Teeth are strengthened
- Color is matched to your teeth and they are virtually invisible
If you would like to learn more about inlays and onlays and whether you are a good candidate for this dental solution, please contact Dr. Jessica Emery at Sugar Fix in Chicago, Illinois today.
(773) 883-1818
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